Flexible strand drawing



Feb. 28, 1939. E LQVEJOY I 2,148,632

FLEXIBLE STRAND DRAWING Filed June 24, 1936 1 #23 7" I I L1 INVENTOR. flan/r [aware/[01gb H4 8 7 BY/ g ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKIE 1 Claim.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved method of forming line drawing pictures of animated objects, particularly for cartoons and for motion picture reproduction.

5 The invention is a method of forming objects by flexible strands instead of lines, so that the strands may be readily moved to change the position or shape of the object so that the shape may be readily changed from one picture to an- 10 other without drawing a new picture.

Flexible strands such as wire have been used for forming figures, faces, and practically any object, and these have been used for stencils, toys, games, and different purposes, but the strands are ordinarily supported upon a rigid base and would, therefore, be impractical for forming objects on a white background to facilitate photographing the objects in gradually moving positions.

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a method of forming lines such as the outline of objects in cartoons, which are reproduced for motion picture work, in which the lines may be readily moved to represent the moving of 25 the object or part thereof in a series of pictures.

Another object is to provide a method of securing a-strand or strands of flexible material on a suitable background so that the strands only may be photographed and also so that the 0 strands may readily be moved on the background.

A further object is to provide a method of forming the outline or parts of an object or objects on a background in which any number of lines may be used in combination.

35 And a still further object is to provide an improved method of readily changing the positions of an object on a background from which it may be photographed, which is simple and inexpensive.

40 With these ends in view the invention embodies a background and a flexible strand which may be black or colored thread, string, wire, or chain, or any combination of the above, and means for holding said strand on the background.

45 Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing a figure formed by I a strand on a background consisting of a sheet of 50 paper or cardboard, in which the thickness of the strand is exaggerated for the purpose of illustrating.

Figure 2 is a view on a reduced scale showing the strand moved to show that the figure is 56 moved.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the strand moved to indicate another position of the figure.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing a different position.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing another difl ferent position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail showing a thread, cord, or wire on a plate or background.

Figure 7 is a similar view showing an enlarged portion of a chain, however, it-will be understood 10 that the chain is preferably made similar to a watch chain and of miniature size.

Figure 8 is a section through a part of the device showing the flexible strand mounted upon the background and held by means of a liquid base which is' of sufiicient consistency to remain on a fiat surface and permit the strand to be moved around therein and held in any position.

In the drawing the device is shown as it may be made, wherein numeral I indicates the background, numeral 2 a strand of material, and numeral 3 a substance by which the strand may be held on the base.

The base I may be inthe form of a drawing board, cardboard, or fiat piece of paper, and the strand 2 may be a relatively fine thread, string, wire, or any flexible strand adapted to be moulded into shape, and also adapted to hold the shape or remain in any position in which it is moved.

This strand may also be of the nature of gum tape, so that it may be pressed upon the background and held by adhesive or any means may be used for holding the strand in place.

In Figure 8 the background I is covered with a film of oil, glue, or any material adapted to remain on the surface thereof Without hardening, and adapted to holding a strand placed therein in substantially any position. The film 3 may be of any thickness, and may be placed on one or both sides of the background, and may also be removed as desired. It is preferred, however, to use a substantially free substance so that the strand may be moved back and forth or to any position therein, and may also be removed therefrom.

The strand shown in Figure 7 is in the form of; a chain 4 and is illustrated as such, however, it will be understood that the chain is preferably made of fine links and in the form of a watch or bead chain, so that it may be readily bent to form substantially any figure,

It will be understood that other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. One of which changes may be in the use of other means for forming the lines, so that u they may be readily moved to any position, another may be in the use of a background of any type, and still another may be in the use of other means for movably holding the lines upon the background.

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In use this method of forming animated objects for motion picture reproduction may be used by first forming the object by the strand on the background, then moving the strand to indicate the movement of an arm, leg, eye, or other part thereof, then taking another picture, then moving the strand to-indicate the next movement, and this process is continued until the picture is made. It will be understood that the strand may be moved or parts thereof removed and replaced, and other objects formed in combination therewith as the picture progresses, so that it is possible to form substantially any picture that may be formed by drawing.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

The herein described process of making pictures, designs, or the like, particularly adapted for progressive motion pictures made from drawings, which comprises removably' holding a thread or the like against a background consisting of a flat surface by a non-hardening oil, and moving said thread on the said background to change the design and particularly the outline thereof.

FRANK EDWARD LOVEJOY. 

